An Assessment of Challenges to Land Accessibility for Urban Development in Minna

Abstract

Land is a central issue to man’s activities. But as population and affluence grow especially in our urban centers, there is an increase in the demand for land by government, private individuals and corporate bodies. This inevitably brings about the survival of the fittest syndrome and greater number of people in the urban areas still do not have access to formal land for private use regardless of the great powers endowed the state governments by the Land Use Act of 1978 to hold in trust and administer land for the common benefit of all Nigerians. This paper therefore examines the challenges to land accessibility in Minna, Nigeria. Findings revealed that 61% of the respondents own land while 39% do not own land. Out of the respondents that own land, 67.8% have developed their lands while 32.2 % of the respondents are yet to develop their lands. Lack of fund, lack of electricity, lack of access to land and shanty structures around undeveloped plots are the reasons why land owners are yet to develop their lands while Inadequate fund and lack of interest are the major reasons why respondents do not own land. The study reveals that there is significant relationship between the level of income group of respondents and land ownership in Minna. It also reveals that there is significant relationship between holders of certificates of occupancy and their level of income. Finally, the paper suggests that government should ensure provision of infrastructural facilities, payment of appropriate minimum wages and allowances to workers as well as ensuring safety of lives and properties of the people with the view to accelerating urban development at the study area.